Miss Prejean, as everybody has now heard, defended traditional marriage, as did the majority of Californians when confronted with Proposition 8.

To the angst of many, the Miss USA organization has been silent on its judge-instigated assault on one of its beauty queens, as has the National Organization for Women, which has stated previously that it supports "the right of lesbians to live their lives with dignity and security, and the rights of equal marriage for all."

Meanwhile, the Miss USA Web site is being peppered with irate letters from across the country, including one writer who will "never watch Miss USA again. Never!!! And I have noted all of the sponsors and will not support nor provide one cent to their businesses."

MAINE GAME

"This is our Super Bowl!"

Or so insists one blogger for the Human Rights Campaign, a gay activist group, as supporters and opponents of "marriage equality" went head-to-head during a public forum at Maine's Augusta Civic Center on Wednesday.

PASS THE KETCHUP

"Earth Day: We are now told that obesity causes global warming. Maybe that's why belief in human-caused climate change is at an all-time low. That and the fact that Antarctic ice is growing, not melting. So enjoy your burger and fries, and chill out. It's the warm-mongers who are endangering us with their whoppers. And Happy Earth Day."

A bill has just been introduced in Congress to require automobile manufacturers to ensure that not less than 80 percent of the vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States operate on fuel mixtures containing 85 percent ethanol, 85 percent methanol, or biodiesel.

The legislation now goes on to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

PAUSE FOR PASTIME

A Texas congressman had everybody in the sharply divided Capitol wanting to get up out of their seats, grab their baseball caps and gloves, and walk together to the ballpark (come to think of it, Nationals Park, the shiny new home of the Washington Nationals, is just blocks from the Capitol).

"I remember when it only cost a few bucks to go to a ballgame," recalled Texas Republican Rep. Ted Poe. "I remember going to the Houston Buffs' games ... and to Colt Stadium to watch the Colt .45s. When the wind blew, the wooden bleachers at Colt Stadium would sway ...

"I will never forget the first game in the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' - the Astrodome. I was there, as a high school student, on April 9, 1965, to see the Astros beat the Yankees, 2 to 1, in 12 innings. Governor John Connally threw out the first pitch and President Lyndon B. Johnson and first lady Lady Bird joined Astros President Roy Hotheinz in his suite.

"There were so many flashes going off it was blinding," the congressman said. "My kids remember going to the games wearing Nolan Ryan's number 34, and cheering for players like Terry Puhl, Joe Niekro, Craig Reynolds, Alan Ashby, Billy Doran and yelling out Jose Cru-u-u-u-u-u-z."